Read John 20:11-25.

It has been over 10 days since I last posted a devotional - things just got a bit stressed in my life this last week! I have really missed writing, though, and hope you have missed a new devotional or two. Today's devotional is again about Easter. I am finding I really love this season and want to delve more deeply into the resurrection.

We often hear about the seven last words of Jesus from the cross but what about what he said after the resurrection? In John's gospel (see above reference) we can really find Jesus' Top Ten Instructions given to his followers:

1) Don't hold onto me - I am in the process of ascending to God
2) Peace be with you!
3) I send you as God has sent me.
4) Receive the Holy Spirit
5) If you forgive sins, they will be forgiven; if you retain sins, they will be retained.
6) Do not doubt, but believe!
7) Blessed are those who have not seen yet come to believe.
8) Try casting the net on the other side of the boat.
9) Feed my sheep.
10) Follow me!

Jesus really puts his followers to work with all these action words: receive, sent, forgive, believe, cast, feed and follow. Although there is some passivity in the gifts of peace and the Spirit, Jesus doesn't want his disciples to stand still. Movement is the key to the Resurrected Life!

Thank goodness that Easter comes in the Spring. There is such a thing as Spring Fever that makes us want to get outside and move. And Jesus wants us to do more than wallow in the freshly mown grass. He wants us (his followers) to go out just as God sent him.

Don't just sit there reading this blog! Get out there and spread the Good News of the Resurrected Life!

Thank you, Jesus!

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims